Avocados Australia’s CEO, John Tyas, said grower feedback was vital – as the organisation must demonstrate industry support for the changes.

“Effective biosecurity management for the avocado industry is a responsibility that is managed through a government-industry partnership with Avocados Australia Limited as the Prescribed Industry Representative Body,” he said. “It is important the avocado industry meets its biosecurity commitments on an ongoing basis and that appropriate resources are in place to achieve this.

“The board of Avocados Australia Limited has agreed to implement a change to the national Avocado Levy to provide resources for biosecurity management through Plant Health Australia.”

The current levy (for R&D and Marketing) on fresh avocados is set at 7.5 cents per kilogram, split between R&D (3 cents per kilogram) and Marketing (4.5 cents per kilogram).  

The R&D levy is able to be matched with funds from the Australian Government through Hort Innovation.

On behalf of the Australian avocado industry, Avocados Australia is proposing to reduce the R&D Levy on fresh avocados by 0.1 of a cent per kg (3.33 per cent) and to divert this to a Plant Health Australia Levy for biosecurity.  

The peak industry body said that there will be absolutely no change to the total amount of levy paid.

If growers have any questions, or did not receive a survey about these proposed changes, please contact Avacados Australia via e-mail or phone: 07 3846 6566.